Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Short Loop

Leg 1 -  Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction          4.2 miles

Leg 2 -  5 Points Junction > River Bend > park service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction           2.8 miles

Leg 3 -  5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > park service road (NE) > park service road (SW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park  1.9 miles

Temps started at 69, ended at 76.  Sunny, slightly humid with steady SW winds at 10-15mph.

Trails were dry to damp from the humidity and spotty rains over the past few days.  Because of the much needed rain, the warm temps and the time of year, the vegetation has really gone through a growth spurt and many parts of the numerous trails I was on today are in need of a trim.  The grasses and growth are easy to walk through BUT there is the ever present and very real danger of stepping on or near a rattlesnake.  The only snake I saw today was a ring collared snake about 8 - 12 inches long that was lying motionless next to the trail.  When I went to get a photo, it flipped it's red tipped tail at me and slithered off.

Wild flowers are becoming a more common sight with yellow and white being the predominant colors with splashes of blue and purple from "wine cups".  The numerous bee bushes were flowering as well and the pleasant scent of vanilla was always present on today's hike.  Animals spotted were deer and cottontail rabbits as well as an armadillo (photo attached) which was very large!  I haven't seen an armadillo in a few years so seeing this one was nice! 

A brief explanation about the attached photo - I do not believe it is ethical to antagonize, provoke or interrupt any animals, birds or insects while trying to get a photograph.  This armadillo had climbed up the slope after I departed Cougar Overlook and I only saw him by chance.  Rather than interrupt or deter him from his intended path, I chose to simply record what I saw and not interrupt him as he nonchalantly wandered into the brush.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.

Water, shade and an info kiosk are available at 5 Points Junction.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.

SPECIAL NOTE - With the submission of this report, I am now Number 1 in TOTAL DISTANCE with 5144.80 miles on the Texas Hiking website !